Ukrainian long-range drones struck a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in the Ural Mountains, officials confirmed Friday. The facility is located more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the border between Ukraine and Russia.
This attack marks another instance of Ukraine targeting locations deep within Russia, following previous strikes on facilities in the Urals and a Russian oil refinery in western Siberia, which is nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) from the border. These actions demonstrate Kyiv's strategic use of drone technology in its defense against Russia's ongoing invasion.
Wildberries stated that while the Yekaterinburg warehouse, situated in Russia's fourth-largest city, was set ablaze, most merchandise remained undamaged. This contrasts with some of the more than a dozen other Wildberries depots that have been struck by Ukraine in recent weeks and subsequently burned down.
Regional governor Denis Pasler reported that three drones hit the warehouse roof. Artyom Zhoga, a Kremlin representative in the region, indicated that 800 people were evacuated from the facility and no injuries were reported.
Ukraine has been actively developing its drone capabilities, leading to cooperation agreements with nine countries and further negotiations with 15 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The drone attacks are intended to disrupt Russian logistics and pressure the Russian public and government.
Defense Initiatives and Eastern Front Strain
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is emphasizing the acceleration of technological development, particularly in air defense systems. This push aims to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks, which have exploited Ukraine's limited supply of U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles and caused significant damage to civilian areas.
Zelensky announced that a joint European anti-ballistic development program is already underway, involving 10 countries concerned about Moscow's broader continental ambitions. Ukraine is contributing to this program by developing its own anti-ballistic missile and launcher, with partners providing essential components like radars and sensors. "An anti-ballistic program of our own — one that is truly large-scale — will greatly benefit everyone in Europe," Zelensky stated.
Concurrently, Ukraine is pursuing the manufacturing of its own ballistic missiles for use against Russia, with tests showing significant potential for the weapons. "The tests have shown strong potential. We need to turn this into a real weapon," Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces on the eastern front remain under pressure as Russia seeks breakthroughs. Western analysts note that Russia's advances have come at a high cost in troop casualties. Ukraine has initiated the evacuation of children from Kramatorsk, one of four heavily fortified cities in the Donetsk region that constitute Ukraine's "Fortress Belt." These cities are crucial in preventing Russia from seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland.
The head of the Donetsk regional military administration reported that over 800 individuals, including 91 children, were evacuated within a 24-hour period. Ukraine has been deploying mid-range strike drones to disrupt Russian supply lines and impede their advance.
Sustained Drone Warfare
Both Russia and Ukraine have been involved in nightly drone attacks. Russia's Defense Ministry reported downing 203 Ukrainian drones from late Thursday through early Friday. In response, Ukraine reported that Russia attacked with 147 long-range strike drones.
In Ukraine's northern Sumy region, a Russian drone struck a busy market on Friday morning, injuring 10 people. Authorities also stated that Russia launched glide bombs and various types of drones at the regional capital, targeting residential buildings, transport, and infrastructure, which resulted in two injuries.